Communication at the workplace is of utmost importance in any organization. Leaders play a crucial role in ensuring open communication in the workplace. Effective communication allows people to be much more explicit about their goals and allows them to carry out their work in the best way possible.
Continue reading to learn more about how today’s leaders can further enhance their communication skills!
How Leaders Can Improve Communication by Dionne Van Zyl
A leader inspires others and helps those working under him to inculcate a healthy mindset. Here are a few valuable tips by Dionne Van Zyl that leaders can use to become even better at communication.
1. Be Honest
One of the most crucial aspects of open communication in the workplace is for leaders to be very honest with their subordinates. If you expect high-level performance from them, it is essential to point out areas where they lack but have the potential to work harder. Apart from that, you also need to be very vocal about what they are good at. Honesty fosters trust in the workplace, which is one of the most important things.
2. Listen Actively
While leaders must be very vocal about their thoughts, it is even more important to listen actively. Show employees that you care about what they think and are open to getting feedback. Engage in conversation with them actively, and encourage them to do the same. This helps build a positive work relationship, which is integral to workplace productivity.
3. Be Clear
When setting expectations, be very clear. Dionne Van Zyl says that the chances of things going wrong are much higher when employees don’t fully understand the instructions given. Leaders must encourage employees to ask questions if something is bothering them, disallowing them to do better.
4. Be Empathetic
Try to understand how employees feel. This is one of the aspects of emotional intelligence. Even if things aren’t going your way, try to be calm and handle the situation maturely. Dionne Van Zyl says that putting yourself in the other person’s shoes enables you to understand things much better.
5. Encourage Feedback
A good work relationship is a result of two-way communication. Try always to encourage feedback from employees. Encourage employees to speak up and give their opinion. This paves the way for innovation in the workplace, which can help the organization grow and evolve into a much better one.
6. Be Consistent
Try to be consistent in your approach and follow through with your promises. Employees need to trust you for your word to be motivated to give their best. This is one of the most crucial aspects of communication in the workplace.
7. Be Confident
Your actions and your words should show employees how confident you are about what you are doing. Remember that you are modeling appropriate workplace behavior. For that, it is essential to be professional in your approach.
Final Words by Dionne Van Zyl
Using these helpful communication tips by Dionne Van Zyl, leaders can work towards fostering very healthy relationships at work, which eventually positively impacts workplace productivity and work ethic.